Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Anthony Haenen

Known as
Tony Haenen

Born
24 April 1946

Died
9 July 2015 (aged 69)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 20y 125d
Last game: 25y 126d

Height and weight
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 86 kg

Senior clubs
South Melbourne; North Launceston; Port Melbourne

Jumper numbers
South Melbourne: 8, 50

Tony Haenen

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
South MelbourneV/AFL1966-197193270.2935%10.592.033.7310
North LauncestonNTFA1972-1974————————
Port MelbourneVFA1975-1979103———————
Total1966-1979196270.14—————

AFL: 7,882nd player to appear, 2,613th most games played, 3,155th most goals kickedSouth Melbourne: 923rd player to appear, 160th most games played, 271st most goals kicked

Best remembered for being at the centre of an unsavoury incident during the 1976 VFA Grand Final between Port Melbourne and Dandenong, Borough utility Tony Haenen actually began, and played most of, his senior career with South Melbourne. Beginning in 1966, Haenen played a total of 93 VFL games for the Swans, mainly as a defender, although he could also provide useful service in the ruck.

Haenen finished at South in 1971 and the following year was appointed captain-coach of North Launceston, where he remained for three seasons, representing both the NTFA and Tasmania during that time. In 1975 crossed to Port Melbourne where he added a final 103 senior games to his tally. During the infamous 1976 Grand Final he was charged with, but ultimately cleared of, physically assaulting a boundary umpire. The day will have had bittersweet connotations for Haenen as the Borough secured the flag with a hefty 57-point win. 

Haenen died in 2015, aged 69. 

Author - John Devaney, with updates by Andrew Gigacz

Sources

Full Points Footy's Tasmanian Football Companion

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Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.